Airport expansion

Caroline Russell: In light of the climate emergency and your clear opposition to Heathrow expansion, will you reconsider your position on expansion at London City and Gatwick airports?

The Mayor: I have always said that where airport growth takes place this should not be at the expense of London’s environment or the health of its residents. A third runway at Heathrow would be an environmental disaster with negative impacts on noise, air pollution and London’s long term carbon targets. I will continue to stand up for Londoners by opposing the third runway.
Gatwick Airport recently published its draft masterplan; it is not actively pursuing an additional runway but is looking to make best use of its existing infrastructure. London City Airport is expected to publish its draft masterplan in the next few months. If either airport seeks to take forward proposals for expansion, I will scrutinise the detail of the proposals carefully to fully understand their full environmental impacts to ensure they are in line with my policies.

Taxi and PH Financial Summary

Keith Prince: The Taxi & PH financial summary 2017/18 showed the net regulatory position has worsened from a £5.4m deficit to a £18.3m deficit, will the Mayor give details of the licence fee increases & regulatory expenditure savings required to recover?

The Mayor: As committed to in my Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan, and following requests from stakeholders including the taxi and private hire trades and Assembly Members, Transport for London (TfL) has significantly increased the number of compliance officers it deploys to tackle illegal taxi and private hire related activity in light of the significant growth of private hire vehicles in London.
Inevitably, this has created some financial challenges for TfL and, as is the case with the rest of the organisation, TfL’s Taxi and Private Hire department is looking at how to deliver its services as efficiently as possible, generating savings wherever it can while recognising that further regulatory improvements are still required to enhance passenger safety.
We review licence fees annually and any changes are subject to approval by the TfL Finance Committee.

Turning circle requirement for taxis

Caroline Pidgeon: Do you support scrapping the turning circle requirement for licensed taxis? What is the justification for the retention of this policy?

The Mayor: No. The turning circle requirement ensures London taxis can manoeuvre in the tight spaces and narrow streets of the Capital. The turning circle enables the taxi to complete a U-turn in one movement, for example when picking up a passenger hailing from the opposite side of the road, and consequently reduces congestion.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide an answer for Questions 2018/2099 and 2018/3029, asked in September and November 2018. Since you failed to provide a response, please now give the figures as at May 2019.

The Mayor: The attached tables show the Dedicated Ward Officers and Police Community Support Officers in each Ward in London as at the end of March 2019 (most recent available data).

Advanced Stop Lines (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: In the last 12 months how many fixed penalty notices have been issued to drivers, motorcyclists and scooter riders for illegally crossing Advanced Stop Lines in London?

The Mayor: Offences relating to the contravention of the Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) are covered by the same section of the Road Traffic Act as that pertaining to the contravention of a red traffic light. There is no separate offence code and therefore police are not able to report those offences issued specifically to motorists for ASL infringements.
In the previous financial year, a total of 1,477 motorists were reported for contravening a red traffic light at a junction.

Intersectional Pay Gaps in the Metropolitan Police

David Kurten: In your answer to question MQ 2019/0236, you made reference to previously published data on the pay differential between men and women, and white people and BAME people, but you did not fully answer the question by presenting data on the eight different intersectional groups of white men, black men, Asian men, men of other ethnic minorities, white women, black women, Asian women and women of other ethnic minorities. What is the average pay for these eight different groups in the Metropolitan Police? If this data is not currently available, will you be publishing such data in the future?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) published reports that contain extensive analysis of gender and ethnicity incorporating a wide variety of factors. There are no plans to publish these existing reports in a different format.

Taxis and Mental Health (2)

David Kurten: Taxi drivers are in fear of having their licence revoked or suspended if they receive medication they may desperately need from their GP.What assurances can you give to taxi drivers that their licences will not be revoked if they report to TfL that they are receiving counselling or taking medicine for a mental health condition?

The Mayor: Transport for London follows the DVLA’s Group 2 medical guidelines when notified of a medical condition, or a change in a driver’s medical circumstances. This guidance takes into consideration a licensed driver’s ability to work.
Taking prescribed medication is not a bar to licensing; all instances of illness, mental or otherwise, are assessed on a case by case basis in line with the DVLA’s Group 2 medical guidelines.
No driver should ignore an illness for fear of losing their licence. It is important that drivers seek and receive the help they need for their own wellbeing, as well as for the safety of the public.
Please also see my response to Mayor's Question 2019/8905.

Taxis and Mental Health (1)

David Kurten: What are you going to do to increase support for taxi drivers suffering from mental health issues?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) takes the mental health and overall wellbeing of taxi and private hire licensees very seriously.
TfL is clear that for their own wellbeing, it is vital that anyone who feels that they are struggling with a mental health issue should seek professional help and support.
Professional help should be provided by the appropriate medical services but TfL is nonetheless committed to supporting the taxi and private hire trades in identifying the available help and support resources.
TfL is developing online resources for drivers, which will include the details of organisations to contact if they need advice, guidance or help. As part of this work TfL is in contact with a range of organisations that have specialist knowledge in the fields of mental health and wellbeing.
TfL is planning to hold a forum to bring all of this knowledge together, alongside senior representatives from the taxi and private hire industry, to explore and then promote the help that is available to individual drivers.
Awareness of mental health issues is also being raised through a continuing series of wellbeing articles in TfL’s “On Route” magazine and in a weekly email that is sent to 150,000 licensees.

Loughborough University's fatigue survey of London's bus drivers (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Please provide me with all correspondence between TfL and Loughborough University regarding the agreed terms of reference, the budget and milestones forLoughborough University's fatigue survey of London's bus drivers.

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to gather the relevant correspondence and provide copies to you by 5 June 2019.

Met Police – Civilian Jobs

Navin Shah: A resident has raised an issue about many Met officers currently undertaking ‘civilian jobs in the offices’. When is the Mayor going to put them back on the streets instead of complaining about lack of resources? What is the percentage of police officers that are doing roles that do not need police skills for example project management, administration etc. compared to officers using their police skills?

The Mayor: This Government has cut policing to the bone. It has imposed cuts of over £850 million sine 2013/14 and, with a further £263 million needed, the total will exceed £1billion by 2023. These cuts are having a real impact on the number of officers that can be sustained and I will continue to make this point.
I have done everything I can to support policing and put officers back into communities. I have raised the policing precept of council tax to the maximum legally allowed and redirected business rates to provide additional investment of £234 million. I am committed to two Dedicated Ward Officers (DWOs) and one Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in every ward in London – putting officers into the heart of communities.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is also working hard to minimise the number of officers in back office roles, including recruiting police staff investigators. Policing is a complex and highly diverse role which inevitably requires project management and administrative skills even when undertaking core frontline duties. It is not possible to separate out roles by such skills.

Policing on the Transport for London Network (3)

Florence Eshalomi: FollowingMQT 2017/4482can you now confirm how many warranted officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), traffic wardens or police staff were provided in 2017/18? Please break down this figure by British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police Service & City of London Police.

The Mayor: As of March 2018 the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) consisted of:
March 2018
Police Officers
1487
PSCO
572
Police Staff
34
Traffic Warden
0
MOPAC is not responsible for the British Transport Police (BTP) or City of London Police.

Policing on the Transport for London Network (4)

Florence Eshalomi: FollowingMQT 2017/4482can you now confirm how many warranted officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), traffic wardens or police staff do you expect to be provided over the course of this current Transport for London business plan from 2019/20 to 2023/24? Please break down this figure by British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police Service & City of London Police and by financial year.

The Mayor: The table below sets out the number of budgeted police officers, police community support officers and police staff that the Metropolitan Police Services (MPS) has supporting the Transport for London Network in financial year 2019/20.
In relation to future years of the Transport for London Business Plan, policing numbers are agreed with TfL as part of the budget setting process for each financial year. Therefore, it is not yet possible to confirm establishment numbers for future years.
2019/20
Total
Police Officers
1,615.50
Police Staff
109.5
PCSOs
564

Arrests of National Action Members

Unmesh Desai: How many national action members were arrested in London in 2017/18 and 2018/19?

The Mayor: Unfortunately, the MPS have no way to answer this question.
The membership list of National Action is not public and such details are not routinely recorded in custody records.

Abuse of MPs and other Politicians

Joanne McCartney: Following on from my question 2019/6336 has any new guidance been given in relation to the threats to MPs? I understand that the Metropolitan Police Service has initiated ‘Operation Bridger’ – can you briefly explain what this operation entails?

The Mayor: The Crown Prosecution, in consultation with the Police, has recently issued an information pack to assist Parliamentarians and their staff to recognise and report potential crimes that have been committed against them when faced with intimidating behaviour. It is available on the Crown Prosecution website.
Operation Bridger was launched nationally in 2016; it was created to provide advice, liaison and technical security measures to members of Parliament and is overseen by the Parliamentary Security Department. The Police contribute security advice on appropriate mitigative measures; the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigative Team, which sits within CT Command of the Metropolitan Police Service assist in the National Coordination of that service.

False house sale frauds

Susan Hall: For each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 please provide the number of false house sale frauds, e.g. selling a house not owned by the seller, reported to the MPS.

The Mayor: We are unable to collate this data accurately as it is not stored in this way.

Speed Cameras on the A10

Joanne McCartney: Can you update me on the progress being made on installing speed cameras on the A10 in Enfield? Speeding and racing are a real problem that I have raised a number of times before.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) is working in partnership with the London Borough of Enfield and the Metropolitan Police to resolve the long-standing problems associated with speeding and road racing on the A10. This behaviour is dangerous, risks lives and intimidates local residents.
The current focus is on the most dangerous drivers. The dedicated Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC), which TfL jointly funds with the Metropolitan Police, is running an intensified operation which started on the weekend of 5 May and will continue in to the summer. On the first weekend, the RTPC dispersed a gathering of over 300 vehicles in a car park that had come together for road racing. The results from the first day of this operation are:
Please note that these figures represent the number of offences reported by officers, and will not necessarily be how they are processed.
Targeted police enforcement is an effective short-term tool against these reckless and careless drivers. Over the medium term, TfL is working with London boroughs to update the criteria used to prioritise future locations for the installation of safety cameras. A risk-based metric that supports the Vision Zero call for behavioural change is being developed. This new methodologywill be finalised in the summer, and the decision on the priority locations for TfL to fund new cameras will be made in September. The RTPC is currently deploying mobile speed cameras as part of its current operation.
Safety cameras are only one of the ways to reduce speed-related deaths and serious injuries on our roads. TfL will continue working with the boroughs and its policing partners to consider all the factors necessary to reduce road danger. This will all be done in line with my Vision Zero approach to eliminate death and serious injury on the transport network.

Tenant frauds

Susan Hall: For each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 please provide the number of tenant frauds reported to the MPS.

The Mayor: We are unable to collate this data accurately as it is not stored in this way.

Met Police Officer Cancelled Rest Days 2018/19

Unmesh Desai: How many Met Police rest days were cancelled in each month of 2018/19 financial year?

The Mayor: The number of Police Officer Rest Days cancelled in each month for 2018/19 were:
Apr 43,142
May 50,138
Jun 38,167
Jul 42,510
Aug 46,372
Sep 39,004
Oct 39,755
Nov 40,970
Dec 46,403
Jan 47,145
Feb 40,558
Mar 46,474
Total 520,638
Rest days can be cancelled for a variety of reasons, not just by the Metropolitan Police Service for purposes such as Aid but also by individual officers themselves to better manage their workload.

Metropolitan Police harassment grievances

Andrew Dismore: How many harassment grievances has the Metropolitan Police received against officers in each of the last 3 years; and how many of those grievances were found to be well founded?

The Mayor: We are unable to collate this data accurately as it is not stored in this way.

Shortage of fleet-owned rental taxis

Keith Prince: What mechanisms does the Mayor have in place in the event of a shortage of fleet-owned rental taxis due to the restructured delicensing scheme?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) regularly engages with the taxi trade. While we are not aware of a shortage of fleet-owned rental taxis, I have asked TfL to closely monitor the situation and discuss with the taxi trade if necessary.
The taxi delicensing scheme, along with other measures, is playing an important part in making London’s taxi fleet cleaner, helping to achieve at least a 65 per cent reduction in harmful taxi NOx emissions by 2025.

Transport for London, Arriva and Noise and Light Pollution Around Chingford Station (3)

Jennette Arnold: So far Transport for London and Arriva have offered to build a garden to deal with the noise and light pollution from Chingford Station. Please explain this woefully inadequate response to the pain and suffering being caused.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) and Arriva Rail London (ARL) are sorry for the ongoing disruption these issues are causing.
TfL and ARL offered to landscape the area formerly occupied by the trees, which were removed to protect this location from trespass and vandalism, to make this area more visually appealing for local residents. This work was not intended as a solution to the light and noise pollution being experienced, and TfL and ARL continue to work with all parties to identify solutions address these concerns. Noise-reducing panels have been incorporated on replacement fencing and TfL and ARL are currently investigating alternative lighting to reduce disturbance to residents.
I understand the Deputy Mayor for Transport and TfL’s Assembly Relations team are holding a meeting on site with residents and you to discuss and better understand the concerns so that a solution can be identified as soon as possible.

Crime Prevention in Islington

Jennette Arnold: A constituent reports that both of her sons, aged 12 and 16, have been victims of robbery (one at knifepoint) in Islington. Please report the initiatives Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime is involved on in Islington in order to combat this unacceptable violence

The Mayor: I am very sorry to hear about your young constituents having been victims of a violent crime.
Despite robbery being down by 29 per centin Islington this past year, in recognition of the significant impact robbery has on victims and the high priority given to this crime issue by Islington residents it has been agreed between my Office, the MPS, and Islington Council that robbery will be a Local Volume Crime Priority for Islington in 2019/20. I continue to work closely with Central North BCU, Islington Council, and partners to combat violent crime on our streets and later this month I will be visiting Islington Town Hall to hear directly from concerned mothers and community groups about crime in the area.
My office funds a wide range of services that combat violence in Islington and across London. Details of the initiatives funded to address violence can be found on their website here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/services-we-fund
For details of the work of the Violence Reduction Unit and other related initiatives, please see our website here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/violence-reduction-unit-vru

Transport for London, Arriva and Noise and Light Pollution Around Chingford Station (1)

Jennette Arnold: My constituents in Chingford are being forced to endure levels of noise and light pollution from Chingford Station which exceed World Health Organisation guidelines and causing them misery because of noise. Please explain why the noise and light pollution in the area is not being dealt with.

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) takes noise issues very seriously and, along with Arriva Rail London (ARL), has apologised for the noise being experienced by residents. ARL has been undertaking significant work at Chingford Depot in preparation for the introduction of new electric trains on the railway.
The new trains, once introduced, will be much quieter, causing significantly less noise disruption to the local community. Transport for London, ARL and Bombardier Transportation, the manufacturer, are fully focussed on bringing the trains into service as quickly as possible, which will alleviate much of the noise local residents are experiencing.
TfL expects to have a clearer date for the introduction of the new trains in the next few weeks.
The gantry-mounted spotlights in the depot, which I understand are the main source of light disruption, are operationally essential for security, access, and health and safety purposes.
However, TfL and ARL are investigating alternative lighting and other solutions to reduce disturbance to residents. Additionally, I understand the Deputy Mayor for Transport and TfL’s Assembly Relations have arranged a meeting on site with residents and yourself to further discuss the issues and explore suitable solutions for implementation.

Special constables 6

Keith Prince: What is the current free travel scheme available to special constables?

The Mayor: Special constables receive free travel on London Transport, including: Buses, Underground, Croydon Tram link, DLR and London Overland routes including national rail.

Santander cycle hire docking stations

Caroline Pidgeon: A number of Santander cycle hire docking stations are shown on TfL’s website as ‘removed’. Please clarify the status of each of these docking stations and the timescale for their reinstatement.

The Mayor: London is a constantly growing and changing city and all of these ‘removals’ are due to construction works around the city to facilitate London’s growth. Details of the docking stations shown as removed on Transport for London’s (TfL’s) website are provided below:
Whiteley’s, Bayswater - removed due to building works. This station will be reinstated in 2023 when these works are complete. TfL has identified an alternative site with Westminster Council in the locality and hope to reinstate an additional service point at this new location later this year.
Cardinal Place, Victoria – removed due to building works. TfL is currently awaiting confirmation of when these works will be complete, following which it will return the station to a site within the immediate vicinity.
Rodney Street, Angel – removed for Health and Safety reasons due to the redevelopment of residential buildings by Islington Council. TfL is currently awaiting confirmation of when these works will be completed, following which the station will be reinstated.
Portugal Street, Holborn – removed to accommodate developer related building works. TfL expect this station to be reinstated in 2020.
Grant Road Central & West, Clapham Junction– temporarily removed to accommodate the development of residential buildings. TfL is awaiting confirmation of when these works will be completed, following which the station will be reinstated.

Special constables 8

Keith Prince: What other benefits are available to special constables?

The Mayor: In addition to free travel on the London transport system special constables are also able to claim for travel into London to complete a tour of duty and refreshment expenses whilst on duty.
Special constables who reside in London, complete their hours and not under any disciplinary procedure may also claim a council tax payment as explained in Mayor's Question 2019/8955.
Special constables benefit considerably from the learning and development that is provided as part of their recruitment training.

Special constables 1

Keith Prince: In relation to the below question, please can you answer the following:
• Does the Employer Supported Policing (ESP) allow businesses who participate to have the resulting special constables patrol solely in the proximity of said business?
• How many special constables have now been recruited under ESP?
• What businesses have participated?
https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2018/2713

The Mayor: Potentially ESP officers may patrol solely with the participating business, but this is subject to the respective organisations HR policy and conditions of service, and also the operational policing needs of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
There are currently 153 special constables recruited under the ESP from a range of businesses including BT Open Reach, Tesco, Accenture, HSBC, British Airways, Lloyd’s of London, EE, Serco, Ikea, Merlin Entertainments and Santander.
The MPS appointed a dedicated lead for the ESP in 2018 and aims to expand the number of businesses involved.

Special constables 3

Keith Prince: How much is the average annual cost of a special constable to the Metropolitan Police?

The Mayor: This information is not held by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).
Special constables are not paid but there are still associated costs to their recruitment, equipment and training.

Special constables 4

Keith Prince: Beyond standard training, can special constables train for any specialisms, if so, please can you list them?

The Mayor: Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) Officers are currently able to specialise in: Cyber-crime, Vehicle Recovery and Examination Service, Central Investigation Department (CID), Roads Transport Policing Command (RTPC), Royalty Protection, Airports, Art and Antiques and Marine Support.

Taxi Conditions of Fitness

Keith Prince: Has the Mayor considered reviewing the Taxi Conditions of Fitness, especially with regard to the turning circle requirement?

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor's Question2019/8805.

TfL’s Monitoring of Croydon Tram Operator's Safety Performance

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/4031 you mention the existence of a regular trams governance, safety and risk meeting which took place after the Joint TfL/First Group Joint Safety Panel meetings were discontinued after 15 September 2017. Please provide me with the membership, attendance lists, agendas, meeting dates, minutes and all documentation associated with the "Trams Governance, Safety and Risk" meetings which have taken place since 15 September 2017.

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to provide you with this information.

Tackling far-right extremism (4)

Sian Berry: What work is taking place a) in City Hall, b) within MOPAC, and c) within the Metropolitan Police Service to help local communities work together to challenge far-right activity and reduce hate crime?

The Mayor: I unveiled my Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programme in December 2017. A City Hall team was put together in April 2018 and the programme team have subsequently completed the most comprehensive city-wide engagement exercise in this policy area ever.
My CVE programme will publish a report shortly which sets out recommendations for renewed and improved activity to counter all manifestations of extremism including right-wing extremism.
Counter Terrorism engagement officers, including those working in Prevent and Protective Security, give regular presentations to partners, commercial organisations and communities. These also include information about right-wing extremism.
Through my Office for Policing and Crime, I support the annual National Hate Crime Awareness Week activities, many of which are aimed at helping communities to come together to tackle hatred and extremism. In addition, through the work of the online hate crime hub,a number of community based organisations havebeen enabled to challenge hateful and extremist online content as trusted reporters across a number of social media platforms.

Greater London Authority bodies supply chain contracts

Unmesh Desai: Would you consider requiring TfL, the Metropolitan Police, and the Fire Service introduce new contract conditions, at the earliest opportunity, to require suppliers to disclose their manufacturers (in confidence) to enable independent NGOs to report on their working conditions?

The Mayor: The GLA Group has identified supply chains which it considers to be high risk with regards to working conditions and human rights abuses, and is taking appropriate action to address these risks. In the case of electronics supply chains, the group has affiliated to Electronics Watch, and is including requirements in relevant tenders for suppliers to disclose their manufactures to Electronics Watch in order to allow them to independently monitor labour conditions. Transport for London includes similar requirements in its uniforms contract, information it then provides to the Ethical Trading Initiative.

Tackling far-right extremism (2)

Sian Berry: What assessment have you made of the level of resources available across the GLA group of organisations to supporting victims of racist and religious hate crime caused by far-right extremism, challenging and working with perpetrators, and developing preventive strategies in local communities? Are you able to provide an approximate budget for this work and say whether you are working to increase it?

The Mayor: Providing better support for victims of crime is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan.As a result, I have to date committed over £1 million to directly commissioning specialist hate crime services and awareness raising activities. This is in addition to nearly £4 million of funding provided to local authorities over 4yearsthat has been used to deliver programmes that support victims of hate crime and extremism.
I unveiled my Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programme in December 2017. A City Hall team was put together in April 2018 and the programme team have subsequently completed the most comprehensive city-wide engagement exercise in this policy area ever.
My CVE programme will publish a report this shortly which sets out recommendations for renewed and improved activity to counter all manifestations of extremism including right-wing extremism.

Metropolitan Police’s external entry detective scheme

Caroline Pidgeon: The data in response to Question No. 2019/4065 shows that almost 12% of those who entered the external entry detective scheme in 2017/18 left within 12 months, while over 4% of the 2018/19 cohort left within 12 months. Is there any information available from their exit interviews which would show any common themes for why they choose to leave?

The Mayor: External Entry Detective recruitment was a ground-breaking initiative and as such ongoing evaluation was part of the process. This involves regular surveys and focus groups with those on the scheme including those who have exited.
The common themes for leaving included wanting a more realistic preview of the role before joining; the initial training experience and need for additional support during the early stages of development; and additional support for those who find it difficult to acclimatise to policing generally (e.g. shift patterns and workloads).
The MPS is addressing these issues through changes to its recruitment and training. Due to the nature of the initiative, essentially introducing people to police work for the first time, there is always likely to a be a small proportion who decide that this is not the role for them.

357 Bus into Whipps Cross

Jennette Arnold: Changes to timetables are negatively impacting upon my constituents, making it increasingly difficult for those with limited mobility and health issues to access Whipps Cross Hospital via public transport. Since Transport for London refuses to reconsider the service provision of the W12, in spite of relying on flawed data to justify the reduction in service, can the 357 service instead be lengthened slightly to stop in the grounds of Whipps Cross all week and not just on Sundays?

The Mayor: Route 357 enters the grounds of Whipps Cross hospital on Sundays because lower passenger demand on the entire route allows single deck buses to be used.
As the hospital grounds tend to be less busy on Sundays, the buses can stand and turn within the grounds without impacting on the operation of the hospital.
On Mondays to Saturdays the route operates using double deck buses to provide the necessary capacity into Walthamstow. Extending the route into the hospital is not possible on these days due to the low bridge within the hospital grounds and the lack of a proper stand and turning facility.
Route 457 serves the hospital from the redesigned Whipps Cross roundabout, which is less than five minutes walk from the hospital. All routes serving Whipps Cross University Hospital, including route 357, use low-floor wheelchair accessible buses.

Funding for Crime Prevention in Islington

Jennette Arnold: Please explain the crime prevention initiatives you are supporting (through the Young Londoners Fund and other enterprises) in Islington.

The Mayor: The details of crime prevention initiatives funded through the Young Londoners Fund can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/education-and-youth/young-londoners/mayors-young-londoners-fund/networks-projects-activities
Details of other crime prevention initiatives in Islington funded by MOPAC can be found here: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/services-we-fund

Victim support

Caroline Pidgeon: The Victims’ Commissioner’s report on the Victims’ Code of Practice called for a multi-agency Victim Care Unit. How would this differ from the Integrated Victim and Witness Service for London and how would they work together?

The Mayor: The Integrated Victim and Witness Service (IVWS) for London launched on 1st April 2019, providing better, more streamlined support for victims and witnesses in London.
The national network of Victim Care Units proposed by the Independent Victims’ Commissioner for London in her report on compliance with the Victims’ Code of Practice is an extension of the integrated approach taken by MOPAC in commissioning the IVWS. The Independent Victims’ Commissioner’s proposal is for the Mayor to explore the feasibility of one multi-agency service providing both the victim support services traditionally provided by the VCS sector (currently provided by the IVWS in London) as well some of the interactions statutory agencies have with victims, where appropriate acting as the interface between the victim and the criminal justice system. The ambition being that this would provide victims with a more integrated service and a more seamless support offer throughout the criminal justice process.

Restorative justice

Caroline Pidgeon: What are you doing to promote the merits of restorative justice, particularly given some in the Metropolitan Police are sceptical of it, as made clear in MOPAC’s Justice Matters roundtable on 13 March 2019?

The Mayor: As part of the recently commissioned Integrated Victims and Witnesses Service (IVWS), restorative justice (RJ) services are being offered by IVWS consortia member Calm Mediation (Calm). As part of the mobilising of IVWS, an information campaign will be delivered to frontline police officers to increase their awareness of the merits of RJ and how to refer victims into Calm’s service.
In addition, all IVWS staff will be trained in restorative approaches and, as a result of the co-location delivery model whereby IVWS staff will be based in police stations and witness care units, this is expected to result in greater awareness and integration across London’s victim support services of Calm’s RJ offer thereby also increasing referrals.
MOPAC is part of the London Restorative Justice Network which continues to explore ways to promote the merits of restorative approaches across a range of public services including the criminal justice system.

Met Police and London Fire Brigade affiliation to Electronics Watch

Unmesh Desai: Are the Metropolitan Police and Fire Service to affiliate to Electronics Watch, as recommended by UNISON?

The Mayor: The Greater London Authority Group affiliated to Electronics Watch at the end of 2018, this consists of all functional bodies including the Metropolitan Police Service and London Fire Commissioner. The affiliation to Electronics Watch will further support the ethical sourcing commitments within the Mayor’s Responsible Procurement Policy. This includes insight into electronics production regions and capacity to verify that suppliers meet the labour rights standards in GLA contracts, or to proactively work with them to improve working conditions where further development is needed.

Putney Garage

Leonie Cooper: I have been approached by bus drivers from Putney Bus garage about the disgusting state of driver roadside toilets, some being locked and some being frankly indescribable. What is Transport for London doing to work more effectively with the bus companies to ensure drivers have dignity whilst at work?

The Mayor: I am very concerned to hear this. If the locations of these road-side toilets can be provided, along with details of when they were locked and in an unsatisfactory condition, I will ask Transport for London (TfL) to look into this.
Directly-provided road-side toilets are cleaned at least once a day and are checked for any defects so that ad-hoc maintenance and repairs can be carried out without delay. In the past 12 months, TfL has surveyed more than 200 sites, including bus stations, stands or stand-alone sites, giving it a detailed picture of toilet facilities and areas for improvement.
TfL is now embarking on a regular programme of inspections to audit the quality of maintenance and record the overall condition of toilets to ensure future investment is focused where it can make the most positive immediate difference.
In terms of adding facilities where they are most needed, TfL is over half way to providing 42 priority bus routes with convenient access to toilets. TfL continues to work closely with the union Unite and the bus operating companies to implement these and enhance driver facilities as quickly as possible.

Call-ins

Nicky Gavron: On schemes that you have called in and determined since coming to office, could you provide a breakdown of the total number of units by bedroom-size and tenure, and the changes to each that have been secured following the call-in.

The Mayor: The complete breakdown of housing numbers by application scheme, before and after call-in, is shown in the attached document.
Across the 8 cases that the Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration & Skills and I have called-in and approved at a Representation Hearing, I have secured an additional 265 affordable and social rented homes and an additional 472 intermediate homes following call-in. I have also increased delivery of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes across all affordable tenures. Overall, my interventions have delivered an additional 150 homes for Londoners following call-in.

Hackney Wick Train Disruption

Unmesh Desai: Will Transport for London work with Arriva to improve the reliability of the trains serving Hackney Wick station, particularly during the evening, given the importance of the night time economy to local businesses?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) always aims to run services as planned, and changes only happen as a last resort to prevent delayed services causing longer-term disruption.
However, I have asked TfL to investigate the details of this matter and write to you directly by 31 May 2019.

Policing on the Transport for London Network (2)

Florence Eshalomi: Following MQ 2018/0672 can you set out funding projections for 2019/20 to 2023/24 across the Transport for London network. Please break down by financial year and by police force.

The Mayor: The Transport for London (TfL) Business Plan contains current funding provision for policing services across the Transport for London (TfL) network. The table below shows the agreed budget for each police force for 2019/20. TfL has worked with police partners to find savings and efficiencies without impacting on operational performance.
Police Force
£m
British Transport Police*
67.8
City of London Police
2.16
Metropolitan Police Services
97.8
Total value
167.76
*These numbers are currently proposed and the process to agree the budget with the BTP Authority is due to conclude by the end of May 2019.
Detailed figures for each police force for future years are subject to the annual budget-setting process, agreed with TfL’s policing partners and therefore are not confirmed at this stage. However, the TfL Business Plan sets out funding projections for future years across the TfL network as follows. TfL is working with each force on an ongoing programme of identifying efficiencies whilst maintaining frontline capability.
Business Plan Values (£m)
2020/21
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
Total
164.4
168.8
172.6
173.7

Policing on the Transport for London Network (1)

Florence Eshalomi: Following MQ 2017/4480 can you now confirm what funding you provided in 2017/18? Please break down by police force.

The Mayor: The table below shows the actual financial contribution provided broken down by police force in 2017/18 for all services provided.
Police force
£m
Metropolitan Police Service
93.4
British Transport Police
70.5
City of London Police
1.9
Total Value
165.8

Live facial recognition technology strategy (2)

Sian Berry: In answer to my question 2019/6098 you told me: “The Metropolitan Police is developing its strategic approach to live facial recognition (LFR) technology.” Is the Metropolitan Police Service already looking at operational use scenarios, beyond the trial stage? Could you provide details of any modelled scenarios?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has now finished its trials of Live Facial Recognition (LFR). The independent evaluation will guide the MPS on the next steps for the use of this technology.
No operational planning has taken place regarding the use of LFR outside of the MPS trial period.

Rescue and Response Referrals

Jennette Arnold: Are all referrals to Rescue and Response made through the online form, available here? How are other referrals made if there are other means?
https://randr-london.ecconnect.org/form/Rescue%20and%20Response%20Referr...

The Mayor: All referrals are submitted through the online form. Rescue and Response Partnership Co-ordinators are responsible for liaising with boroughs and encouraging agencies to use the online form to submit details of individuals they are working with who may be involved with county lines.
If a potential referrer would like to discuss a possible referral, or enquire about support from the programme, they can email [emailprotected] or call 0208 937 5765.

Gospel Oak to Barking Line

Andrew Dismore: Will you make a statement on when you expect the new trains to be available and running on the line? How much longer will passengers have to put up with a sub-standard service?

The Mayor: Passengers on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line have had to endure a poor service for far too long, and I share their frustration at the continued delays that they have experienced. However, I can now confirm that the first of the brand new four-car electric trains entered passenger service on the line on Thursday 23 May 2019.
This is the first step towards returning to the regular timetable of four trains per hour, and delivering the much-needed capacity on this line. The new electric trains, built by Bombardier Transportation in Derby, can carry nearly 700 people, double the capacity of the old diesel trains that were previously operating on the line. The new trains will also be much better for air quality and the environment.
Two of the new trains are now in operation on the line, enhancing the service provided by the modified electric trains. This will allow Transport for London (TfL) to run additional services on weekdays and weekends, complementing the current two trains per hour interim timetable. More trains will be put into service over time and it is expected the regular 15 minute frequency will be restored later in the summer.
I have secured a month’s free travel, funded by Bombardier Transportation, as a well-deserved thank you to passengers on this line for their patience. TfL will be offering this from September and will provide more detail closer to the time.

Special constables 7

Keith Prince: Is the £150 council tax discount for special constables a one off or will it continue into the future and how much did it cost?

The Mayor: I committed in my Police and Crime Plan to continue to give support to voluntary routes into policing, encouraging more Londoners to consider signing up as Special Constables. The Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) council tax payment cost £106,526 in 2018/19. The scheme will be continued for 2019/20.

Security Funding for Places of Worship

Unmesh Desai: Last month I signed a letter organised by Kate Green MP to call on the Home Secretary to release security funding for places of worship and to simplify the application process. (https://www.marycreagh.com/news/2019/04/05/security-funding-for-mosques/). Do you support the calls made by over 100 MPs in this letter?

The Mayor: I fully support calls for the Home Secretary to release funding for the physical costs associated with enhancing safety and security in places of worship and to simplify the application process. I recently wrote to the Home Secretary to make these very points.
The tragic recent attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sri-Lanka and San Diego, USA all targeted faith communities and we have seen subsequent hate incidents at places of worship in the UK.
Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority and this includes ensuring that people can practise their faith freely and safely.
I continue to do all I can to reassure faith communities in London and committed resources to delivering a Mosque Leaders Safety and Security event in March and a Multi-Faith Safety and Security event in May where we joined Faith Associates and the Faiths Forum for London alongside specialists in the police and designing out crime experts to provide advice to religious community leaders on how to improve safety and security for their premises and worshippers.
However, advice can only go so far without the necessary funding and therefore I wholeheartedly agree that these need to be made available immediately.

Uber [1]

Andrew Dismore: Constituents have raised that Uber are operating unlawful discriminatory practices against wheelchair users, in requiring them to book larger, far more expensive cars unnecessarily, when asked to carry light, small travelling wheelchairs which would fit in an ordinary vehicle. Will you investigate this practice, and take action to stop Uber discriminating against passengers with disabilities?

The Mayor: Private hire drivers have specific legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 not to discriminate when providing a service. This includes not charging passengers more because they are disabled.
Transport for London (TfL) have recently prosecuted licensed drivers for failing in these duties and we will investigate and take appropriate action for all complaints we receive in relation to failure of duties imposed by the 2010 Act. I would encourage your constituents to contact TfL directly if they have not already done so.

Mornington Crescent bus stops

Andrew Dismore: Do you agree that there is no reason now, with the bendy buses gone and one fewer bus route stopping there, for the two bus stops outside the Mornington Crescent tube station not to be reunited, to serve the 24, 27, 29 And 134 more conveniently, especially for older people who presently have to make a run for the bus stop for the next bus?

The Mayor: The split stops are designed to help manage the five day routes and four night bus routes that serve the area. If both stops were to be merged it would create a capacity issue given the number of buses stopping at that location, as each of the four bus routes that serve Mornington Crescent are high in frequency.
Transport for London’s assessments show that there is only room for two to three buses before the road would be blocked by traffic at the busy junction of Eversholt Street and Camden High Street. This could also cause problems for pedestrians wishing to cross the road and delay other bus services.
In addition, the street furniture at stop D could hamper the effective boarding and alighting (especially for those with mobility issues) if more than two buses parked sequentially, which is less likely to happen with the split stops.
Additional messaging to drivers has been included within the new Big Red Book, a handbook that guides drivers to look out for customers who may need to board their bus. The handbook advises drivers to check no one else wishes to board the bus and to be prepared to wait for customers, in particular people making an effort to get to the bus stop, including vulnerable, older or disabled people. However, once a driver has started to indicate to move or another vehicle has given way, it would be unsafe for the driver to re-open their doors and would give mixed messages to other motorists.

Uber [2]

Andrew Dismore: Uber make it virtually impossible for customers to make an email complaint or indeed any other kind of complaint. Will you investigate this and require them to operate an accessible complaints process?

The Mayor: Since 1 October 2018 Transport for London (TfL) has required all private hire operators to have a phone line available to passengers at all times the business is operating to enable customers to make a complaint. I understand that Uber London Limited (ULL) customers can make a complaint by phone, online, via the ULL customer app or on Twitter.
Complaints about taxi or private hire journeys can also be made directly to TfL at the following location: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs.

Eco protests

Tony Devenish: Please provide the cost with a breakdown for the policing of the April eco protests in central London?

The Mayor: On 2 May 2019, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner stated that the estimated extra costs of policing the Extinction Rebellion event ran to more than £7 million. Precise figures are still to be finalised and will be announced in due course. Given the financial pressures faced by the Met, I have written to the Home Secretary to inform him that I intend to support the Met’s claim on the Special Grant to reimburse the Met for the cost of policing these protests.

Tackling far-right extremism (5)

Sian Berry: What number and proportion of perpetrators arrested by the Metropolitan Police Service in London for racist or religious hate crime have been referred to the Prevent or Channel programmes? Could you provide this data broken down by year for each year from 2014 if it is available?

The Mayor: The Home Office own all statistical data relating to Prevent and Channel referrals. In addition, The Home Office have also published some Prevent and Channel data in the last few years.This can be found following the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/individuals-referred-to-and-supported-through-the-prevent-programme-april-2017-to-march-2018.

Policing Operation concerning Julian Assange Costs

Unmesh Desai: How much has the policing operation concerning Julian Assange, ensconced in the Ecuadorean Embassy to avoid his arrest warrant, cost in total?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service is collating the costs and will provide the information when it is available.

Met overspend/underspend

Susan Hall: For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 what was the Met overspend or underspend?

The Mayor: The MOPAC/MPS Group over and underspends for the years 2016/17 and 2017/18 are published in the audited accounts and can be accessed athttps://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/about-mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac/our-finances#acc-i-55274
The latest published 2018/19 financial forecast is published at https://www.london.gov.uk/mopac-publications/mopac-quarter-3-performance-report. The final audited accounts for 2018/19 will be published before the end of July.

Rescue and Response Update

Jennette Arnold: The Rescue and Response service is funded by MOPAC to support young Londoners affected by county lines activity. Please provide an update on the work of the project since it was set up.

The Mayor: In 2018 the Mayor committed almost £3million over 3 years to launch the first pan-London County Lines response service. The Response & Rescue service supports young people who are vulnerable and caught up in ‘county lines’ drug distribution networks by:
As of March 2019, 190 referrals of young people have been made to the project, of which 86 young people have engaged and have received or are receiving interventions from the specialist providers – St Giles Trust, Abianda and Safer London.

Taxi and PH sexual offences

Susan Hall: For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, please provide the number of taxi drivers reported for sexual offences
For each of the financial years 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19, please provide the number of private hire drivers reported for sexual offences

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) regularly publishes data about sexual offences committed by taxi and private hire drivers against fare paying customers. This detailed information, including type of offence and conviction status, is available on the TfL website https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/security-on-the-network/tph-related-sexual-offences . Data is displayed from 2002-2017, with 2018 figures due to be published later this year.

Rescue and Response Borough Response

Jennette Arnold: How are all boroughs notified of the work of and support offered by Rescue and Response? Has the response to Rescue and Response from boroughs been positive?

The Mayor: The Rescue and Response programme staff include four Partnership Co-ordinators, who have responsibility for developing relationships and supporting information flow between the agencies operating in each borough and explaining support available through the programme. Local authorities were invited to an event in November 2018 to find out more about Response & Rescue and all boroughs have identified single points of contact to link into the project. Borough overview documents are being created, and shared, with boroughs setting out the picture of county lines within the borough. Referrals have been received into the project from all London boroughs, see MQ 9143.
The response has been positive, however Rescue and Response has finite resources so is not able to support every young person referred to it, in which case boroughs are asked to consider what local support may exist.

Assaults in PHVs and Black Cabs

Susan Hall: How does TfL log assaults on passengers for black cabs and PHVs and are these figures kept separately?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) takes any allegation against licensed taxi or private hire drivers extremely seriously. Processes are in place for the police and other law enforcement agencies to notify TfL, as the licensing authority, of allegations against a licensed driver. TfL records the details of the offences (e.g. common assault) and the licensing action taken. The aggregate data includes a breakdown by taxi and private hire driver but does not include details of whether the offence was against a passenger or someone else.
In addition to this we have implemented bespoke processes for Taxi and Private Hire journey-related sexual offences against fare paying passengers. TfL publishes a breakdown of drivers charged with sexual offences against a passenger. The data is published on TfL’s website on an annual basis. It includes a breakdown for the type of driver, type of sexual offence and judicial outcome.

Camden - Tottenham Hale cycle route (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: As it seems TfL’s plans involve an encroachment into Finsbury Park, which is a Green Registered Park and Garden, can you confirm whether TfL have consulted Historic England on its proposals?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL’s) plans for the Camden to Tottenham Hale cycle route currently place the route adjacent to the southern border of Finsbury Park, between Finsbury Park station and Manor House station. TfL has been working together with London Borough of Haringey and key stakeholders such as the Friends of Finsbury Park and the London Cycling Campaign in discussions on design ideas which aim to provide safe and attractive cycle facilities with no overall loss of green space within Finsbury Park.
TfL is now preparing for a further meeting in May with wider user groups interested in Finsbury Park to further inform the plans, and Historic England will be included in this invitation.